1998 Ronin/ 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9

The 1976 MERCEDES-BENZ 450 SEL 6.9 W116 is a car featured prominently in a high-speed car chase in 1998 action thriller film Ronin directed by John Frankenheimer. The car was driving by Jean Reno character Vincent.

The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 Main Facts

The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 is the high-performance top-of-the-line version of the W116 model S-Class luxury saloon.

It was built by Daimler-Benz in Stuttgart, Germany and based on the long-wheelbase version of the W116 chassis introduced in 1972.

The model was generally referred to in the company’s literature as the “6.9”, to separate it from the regular 450SEL. It featured the largest engine of any non-American production car post WWII.

The European version Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 l (6834 cc or 417 in³) power plant was factory-rated at 286 hp with 405 lb/ft (549 N/m).

At its launch in 1975, the 450SEL 6.9 cost DM 69,930 (around $40,000).

The 6.9 has such a special place among Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. Since Ronin is basically a love letter to the art of chase scenes, it’s fitting that this is what Vincent (Jean Reno) drives in the film. This was an European Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9.

The license plates of 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 seen in the film Ronin reads as ‘4871 FE 06’.